Dr. Bill Putnam named medical director of Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center: 5 things to know

Joe B. "Bill" Putnam Jr., MD, a former long-time faculty member of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and current chairman of the department of thoracic surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., has been named the medical director of Jacksonville, Fla.-based Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center, which will become operational in October.

Here are five things to know about Dr. Putnam.

1. While officially starting on Oct. 1, Dr. Putnam will lead the medical team of Baptist MD Anderson and will be in Jacksonville periodically prior to his official start working with Baptist Health and MD Anderson teams.

2. Dr. Putnam was selected for his new position after a national search. He was the leading candidate based on his experience in MD Anderson and in building cancer programs. As medical director, he will be involved in directing, planning and coordinating all clinical activities for Baptist MD Anderson and its physicians. His goals include "replicating in Jacksonville the proven MD Anderson model of care, integrating Baptist MD Anderson oncology teams with Houston and other partner oncology experts, and ensuring quality outcomes for patients and their families," a news release reads.

3. For more than a decade, Dr. Putnam has been professor of surgery and chairman of the department of thoracic surgery at VanderbiltUniversityMedical Center, Ingram Professor of Cancer Research and program director for the residency program in thoracic surgery. He also served as professor of biomedical informatics.

4.  Prior to Vanderbilt, Dr. Putnam was a faculty member of the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center since 1988. He served as deputy chairman of the department from 1995 to 2004. In 2000, he was promoted to professor of surgery.

5. Aside from his work in healthcare, Dr. Putnam has had military experience. He was activated during Operation Desert Storm as a Naval Reservist and served as department head of the department of cardiothoracic surgery at the Naval Hospital San Diego. He retired in 2011 as a Captain (O‐6), Medical Corps, United States Naval Reserve after 21 years of service.